Confirmation of 46,000 Intern Teachers Delayed Till January 2025
The confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) payroll to permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms has been postponed.
Initially expected in July this year, the intern teachers will now have to wait until January next year for their confirmation.
While addressing the National Assembly Education Committee, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia stated that the delay is due to significant budget cuts from the Treasury.
The Commission requires at least Sh18.9 billion to confirm the intern teachers to permanent terms.
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Additionally, a plan to recruit 18,000 junior and 2,000 primary school intern teachers in July has been rescheduled to October this year.
Breakdown of Intern Teachers
Currently, TSC has 46,000 intern teachers, broken down as follows:
| Category | Number Recruited | Recruitment Date |
|---|---|---|
| Junior school intern teachers | 21,550 | February 2023 |
| Primary school intern teachers | 4,000 | February 2023 |
| Secondary school intern teachers | 450 | April 2023 |
| Junior school intern teachers | 18,000 | September 2023 |
| Primary school intern teachers | 2,000 | September 2023 |
Impact of Budget Reductions
Macharia highlighted that the TSC’s recurrent budget has been reduced by Sh10.28 billion, impacting various programs.
The 2024-2025 Financial Year Supplementary Estimates I show the new gross recurrent budget as Sh347.49 billion, down from the initial Sh357.77 billion.
Additionally, the development budget was reduced by Sh38 million, now standing at Sh404.32 million from the initial Sh442.32 million.
This reduction affects government-funded projects and the completion of TSC county offices in Machakos and Kilifi, which were nearing completion and scheduled for handover in September 2024.
Delayed Implementation of the 2021-2025 CBA
Due to budget cuts, the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between TSC and teacher unions, allocated Sh10 billion, will be delayed.
The CBA, amended in August last year to include a salary increment of up to 9.5% over two years, will face implementation setbacks.
The training of teachers has been allocated Sh262 million, with TSC reviewing the number of teachers to be trained.
Additionally, allocations to various expenditure items, such as membership subscriptions to professional bodies, routine asset maintenance, and the purchase of motor vehicles, have been reduced, impacting these areas.
Medical Cover and Financial Shortfalls
The financial year draft estimates for 2024-2025 reduced provisions for medical cover, group life, group personal accident, and Work Injury Benefits Act for teachers and secretariat staff by 50%, leading to an Sh11.89 billion shortfall.
The current allocation is insufficient to meet the financial commitments for the third year of the teachers’ medical contract, starting December 1, 2024, valued at Sh20.668 billion.
ALSO READ: KNUT Calls for Teachers’ Patience on CBA Implementation
During the 2023-2024 Financial Year budget implementation, TSC did not receive an exchequer allocation amounting to Sh4.32 billion.
Additionally, there was a Sh3 billion under-provision in the budget, creating a similar deficit in the current budget.
Confirmation of 46,000 Intern Teachers Delayed Till January 2025
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